It obviously relates to royal etiquette. In message <003401c67dc5$afc10650$0200a8c0@Hockerley>, David Wason <wason@dsl.pipex.com> writes >"David G Jackson" writes > >> In describing the funeral of the Duke of Wellington: >> "Etiquette did not permit the Queen to attend the funeral of one of >>her subjects...." > >I suspect this is "royal" etiquette rather than a "men only" >convention. I don't believe British monarchs attend the funerals of >their subjects do they? They send representatives. I think the only >exception was for Churchill's funeral. > > > > -- David G Jackson